Chapter 9

The meal at Sora's had been delightful, and I'm grateful that Zethe brought me there and was able to introduce me to the Mermaid.

My mind swirls, replaying our lunch conversation. His eyes had been steady on mine and the conviction in his voice when he claimed me as his—his forever—was undeniable.

A part of me yearns to believe him, to surrender to this powerful bond that tugs at my heart. It's something beyond the physical, a connection that resonates deep within me. The connection to Zethe is as natural and effortless as breathing, a cosmic pull that I cannot resist.

Yet, a small flicker of fear lurks in the shadows of my heart. I'm drawn to him, as sure as a moth is drawn to a flame, irresistibly, inexorably. I want to bask in the warmth of his flame, to be consumed by it.

I only hope I don't get burned.

But right now, the light he offers is too beautiful to resist, and for the first time in a long time, I'm willing to risk the flight.

As we stroll along the beach, hand in hand, I marvel at the beautiful afternoon sun. The clouds are sparse, peppered across the pastel-colored sky, reflecting an array of stunning colors onto the pristine white sand below.

Everything is totally opposite than what it was yesterday…

Beside me, Zethe carries a net bag in his free hand, a container for the treasures we might find on our walk. His grip is warm, comforting, his tentacles occasionally brushing against my legs as we go.

"How are you feeling, Rey?" Zethe breaks the silence, his voice soft.

"Refreshed," I say, looking up at him as the wind blows through his dark hair. "However, my body is starting to get tired. I hope it's okay if we return to the villa, or somewhere we can sit, after this beach walk."

"That won't be a problem. Make sure to tell me if anything changes. I don't want you to push yourself to try to keep up with me, especially since you're still recovering from what happened yesterday." He scans my face, then the rest of my body, as if looking for signs of injury or pain. "How did you like today?"

"Today was amazing," I admit, my gaze locked on the horizon. "I mean, the resort is beautiful, the food was delightful, and getting my hair done by Merfolk tomorrow… it's all so surreal."

Zethe lets out a chuckle, his grip on my hand tightening. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," he murmurs. "I don't want to stifle any enjoyment."

Suddenly, Zethe's head snaps up, his gaze fixated on something in the distance. He lets go of my hand and rushes forward, his tentacles leaving a unique pattern in the sand—reminding me of the markings snakes leave when they are slivering along the sand rapidly. I hurry after him, curiosity piqued.

Bending down, Zethe scoops something up from the sand, holding it up to the fading sunlight. It's a piece of sea glass, sea green and incredibly smooth, shaped by years of tumbling in the ocean.

He offers it to me, his dark eyes sparkling with excitement. "Take a look at this, Rey," he urges, placing the piece of sea glass in my hand. "It's in perfect condition."

The sea glass is cool and surprisingly heavy. As I rotate it in my hand, the setting sun's rays filter through the glass, casting a warm, greenish glow on my skin. I hold it up to my eye, peering through the glass at the ocean and the beach, the world taking on a tinted hue.

But Zethe isn't finished.

With a sudden movement, he moves past me, reaching down to pluck another piece of sea glass from the sand. This one is a deeper, sapphire blue, just as smooth and mesmerizing as the first. He adds it to our collection, a growing testament to the treasures the sea can offer.

I spot a pink marble shell a little way off, half-buried in the white sand. I pick it up and examine it closely, a grin spreading across my face. The shell's surface has an iridescent sheen, and its pink hue glows under the soft twilight.

"Zethe, look at this!" I call out, holding up the shell for him to see. He rushes over, a playful sparkle in his eyes.

"It's beautiful, Rey," he says, gently taking the shell from my hand to examine it. He then adds it to our growing collection in the net bag, now bursting with a rainbow of sea glass and an array of unique shells.

Zethe and I continue our scavenging, finding more and more treasures washed up by the storm. With each new find, a ripple of excitement passes between us, our shared joy in these simple discoveries is palpable, intoxicating. I've never felt more at ease, more genuinely happy.

But as the sky darkens and the stars begin to twinkle above, I find myself breathing heavily, my energy noticeably draining. I've lost track of time, the joy of our shared activity erasing all sense of hours passing.

Zethe notices my fatigue almost immediately, his observant eyes missing nothing. Wordlessly, he slings the near-bursting net bag over one tentacle. Then, in one fluid movement, he gently lifts me off the ground, cradling me in his strong arms.

The feel of his arms wrapped securely around me is comforting, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. His steady heartbeat against my ear is a soothing rhythm, a lullaby of the sea. I lean into him, a sense of peace washing over me.

"We're done for today, Rey," Zethe whispers softly into my ear. His voice carries the gentle strength of the ocean waves, the promise of safety. "Let's retire for the night."

Nestled in his embrace, a pang of disappointment washes over me knowing that our day is ending. But, at the same time, I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

What exciting things will Zethe plan for us tomorrow?

As we head back to the resort villa under the blanket of stars, I'm in awe of their beauty. It is a sight that I don't get to see in the city and only see in pictures.

As Zethe carries me through the heart of the resort, the other monsters we pass greet him with nods and murmurs of acknowledgement. He responds with a tilt of his head, his focus never straying from the path in front of us.

The respect they show him gives me a sense of how much he's revered here. He's not just a lifeguard, he's a part of this community.

As we pass by the various creatures, each unique and fascinating in their own right, I find myself wondering if I could truly fit into this world. I'm enjoying every moment spent with Zethe, and every interaction with the other monsters I've had has been nothing short of pleasant.

Would this be what my life will be like if I choose to stay here with him?

Upon reaching my villa, I scan my bracelet against the entry panel, and the door slides open with a soft hiss. Zethe moves inside, gently placing our bag of treasures on the table before easing me down onto the plush bed.

He moves to the kitchenette and returns with a glass bottle of water, the resort's logo embossed on the side. He hands it to me, his gaze softening. "You need to keep hydrated, Rey," he says, his voice a gentle murmur.

I accept the bottle, murmuring a soft "thank you" before taking a long sip. The cool water refreshes me, and I feel some of the day's exhaustion start to ebb away.

Zethe remains standing, watching me with an inscrutable expression. I feel a surge of gratitude toward him, for the day we've spent, for his care, for his company.

"Thank you," I say, meeting his gaze. "And thank you for today. It was wonderful."

His lips curl into a warm smile, and he nods, seemingly at a loss for words.

The silence stretches between us, comfortable but filled with anticipation. I finally break it, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"And where will you be sleeping, Zethe?" I ask, an almost playful tone creeping into my voice. It feels natural, easy to tease him a little.

Zethe's gaze grows serious as he shakes his head. "I'm not here to presume anything, Rey," he says earnestly. "Last night… I only fell asleep next to you because I was making sure you were all right. I didn't mean for my tentacles to hold you like they did."

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks, a blush spreading across my skin at the memory. I had woken up cocooned in his tentacles, safe and warm, the steady rhythm of his breathing lulling me back to sleep.

And that kiss, it was like a spark igniting a flame.

"Zethe, I…" I trail off, unsure how to express the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. "I felt cherished when you held me. Needed. Wanted. And that kiss…" My heart flutters in my chest, remembering the soft press of his lips against mine. "It made me feel desired."

His eyes flash with something unidentifiable. "Rey," he murmurs, leaning close. "I do desire you. I want to know you, learn everything about you. I want to care for you, make you smile. That's what I want."

"But I should be giving you something in return," I protest, feeling oddly guilty. "You keep wanting to give me…"

"Your existence is enough," he interrupts me gently, his gaze intense. "Spending time with you, enjoying simple activities… It's more than I could have hoped for. You don't owe me anything."

My heart thuds heavily in my chest as I meet his gaze. "What if… what if I want you to stay tonight?" I ask, the words tumbling out before I can second guess myself. "To spend more time with you and see what happens…"

His tentacles curl around me slightly, as though even they are eager for his answer. He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. "I'll take whatever you're willing to give me. If all you want is to cuddle, then I'll be the best cuddle partner you've ever had. I just want to be near you."

I bite my lip, emboldened by his words. "And what if I want more than just cuddling?"

His grin widens, a spark of anticipation lighting up his eyes. "Then, my beautiful Rey, you just have to ask. Whatever we do, I'll treasure every moment."

I draw in a shuddering breath, staring into his glowing dark blue eyes. The night around us suddenly feels charged with something electric, a tension pulling at every cell in my body. "Kiss me, Zethe."

With a growl, he closes the space between us, pressing his lips against mine. His mouth moves over mine, insistent and demanding, a primal sensation that sparks a fire in the pit of my stomach.

His tentacles begin to move, slowly curling under the hem of my sundress, their touch gentle, almost reverent. They explore, caress, sending sparks of electricity through my veins. A gasp escapes my lips as his slick tentacles graze the bare skin of my thighs, the sensation so different from anything I've ever experienced.

Their cool, firm touch sending shivers up my spine. Their touch is light, teasing, a stark contrast to the fierce kiss we're sharing.

"Zethe…" I moan, my fingers tangling in his hair, tugging slightly. He growls, the sound vibrating against my skin as he shifts his attention to my neck, his lips nibbling and sucking, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

I gasp as he sinks his teeth into the sensitive skin, a light nibble that's just enough to make my heart pound in my chest. A loud moan slips from my lips as I yank his long, dark hair, tugging sharply.

His grunt of approval sends a hot flush through my body. "You're so incredibly beautiful, Rey," he growls against my skin, the deep rumble of his voice sending another wave of heat through me. "I love the way you feel. The way you respond to my touch—to how my tentacles touch you."

I gasp as his tentacles move higher, exploring the planes of my body underneath my dress. I meet his gaze, and the intensity there makes me shiver in anticipation.

"I want you," he rasps, the words laced with passion. "Every part of you. Your taste, your touch, your moans… You drive me wild, and I can't get enough."

His voice drops to a whisper as he leans in close to my ear. "Tell me what you want, Rey," he murmurs, his breath fanning hot against my skin. "Tell me, and I'll make it happen."

"I want to feel you," I moan. "I want to know how it feels being with you with your tentacles wrapped around me."